Up to date legislation is required to aid the drive to modernise agricultural practices, drive economic diversification, achieve food self-sufficiency, and ultimately turn agriculture into a major foreign exchange earner in the nearest future-Dogara
Speaker of House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara, has stressed the importance of enacting new legislation to aid the drive to re-innovate Nigeria’s agriculture sector.
Dogara, said this while delivering an address at a two-day public hearing organised by the House Committee on Agricultural Colleges and Institutions on Monday in Abuja.
The Speaker also stressed the need to ensure bills processed by the legislature were cost-sensitive and will not overburden the nation’s fiscal capabilities through the multiplicity of agencies.
The proliferation of agencies, according to him, is not conducive to the economic well-being of the nation as a new agency “comes with its complement of bureaucracy”.
In place of establishing new administrative bodies, Dogara advocated for the amendment of the functions and mandate of existing agencies to include newly-conceived innovative ideas.
“Furthermore, in cases where there is need to reinvigorate a particular sector and lay emphasis it may become necessary to carve out an agency from an existing one.”
The Speaker harped on the need to update legislations in order tolp develop the agricultural sector.
“It is very gratifying to note that giant strides are being made in the sector.
“Up to date legislation is required to aid the drive to modernise agricultural practices, drive economic diversification, achieve food self-sufficiency, and ultimately turn agriculture into a major foreign exchange earner in the nearest future,” he said.
The bills being considered by the committee include a Bill for an Act to Regulate the Profession of Agriculture and to make provision for the Establishment, Functions and Administration of Nigerian Institute of Agriculturists and for Other Related Matters. (HB.838).
Also under cosiderarion is a Bill for Act to Repeal the Veterinary Surgeons Act. Cap. V3, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and for Other Related Matters (HB. 836).
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